The Boothbay Region High School lacrosse team’s first-ever varsity game got off to a rousing start Wednesday. The Seahawks scored three goals in a three-minute time span near the first half’s end in taking a 4-2 halftime lead against Erskine Academy in China.

Midfielder Kate Friant had two goals and two assists and Lincoln Hamblett and Helen Hamblett both had one goal each. But the Eagles shut out the Seahawks in the second half in claiming a 6-4 victory in Class B North action.

Boothbay goalkeeper Page Brown recorded 15 saves.

The team began two years ago as a club sport. Second-year coach Donna Jordan begins the season with 16 players of varying experience on her roster. Prior to participating in the high school program, many of the players learned the sport in the Boothbay Region YMCA program.

Others are learning the game for the first time.

“Getting the first-timers to believe they can do it is one of the early season challenges,” Jordan said. “The game relies heavily on eye-hand coordination. Playing with a ball and implement and doing both at the same time while you’re moving is difficult.”

Boothbay has several skilled returning players. Tri-captains Nicole Clark, Kate Friant and Alexis Welch are all expected to make a major contribution this season.

Clark, a junior, is switching from offense to defense this season. She plays a high defensive position.

“We need her on defense because of her experience and length,” Jordan said.

Friant, a junior, is a midfielder. Jordan described her as an “excellent athlete and team leader.”

“She’s a smart player. She scores and defends. Kate reads the playing action well and is more like our field general,” Jordan said.

Welch, a junior, is another of the team’s tall back line defense. She plays a low defensive position. Welch is responsible for directing the defense as the opponents move closer to the goal. She calls for defensive shifts from a man to a zone defense as the opponents attack.

After two years with lacrosse as a club sport, the Seahawks are eager for competitive games where the results matter.

“I’m really just looking forward to starting the season. I’m ready to start playing games with Heal points,” Welch said.

Junior Molly Thibault agrees with her teammate.

“Now that it’s not a club sport we’re taking it more seriously, but at the same time we’re having a lot of fun, too,” she said.

Boothbay is one of 14 teams competing in Class B North this season. The Seahawks’ farthest game north this season is on Saturday, May 28 in Winslow.

Boothbay will host Fryeburg Academy at 1 p.m. on Saturday on Sherman Field for its first-ever home varsity contest.